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Elder takes on mining giant in legal challenge

Protesters showed support for Kevin Buzzacott outside the Federal Court

ABC News: Paul Klaric

The Federal Court in Adelaide has become the setting for a David and Goliath-style battle between an Aboriginal elder and mining giant BHP Billiton.

Arabunna elder Kevin Buzzacott has launched legal action against BHP Billiton over the creation of what is set to be the world's biggest open-cut mine.

The mining giant has been given state and federal government approval to expand its Olympic Dam copper, gold and uranium mine near Roxby Downs.

However, Mr Buzzacott argues the mining giant did not properly consider a number of environmental issues.

Mr Buzzacott, known as Uncle Kevin, is an elder of the Arabunna Nation in South Australia's north.

Environment Minister Tony Burke gave the $20 billion expansion of the state's Olympic Dam Mine a tick of approval in October.

But Mr Buzzacott claims environmental impacts such as the effect on groundwater resources, including the Great Artesian Basin, were not properly considered.

"I don't think they've done proper consultation, not only with all our mob but also with the people of South Australia," he said.

"I'm not happy with how they went about it. I thought it was a bit unprofessional.

"I guess because I come from there it's a different story, I was born and bred not far from that area and I'm worried about it."

Consultations

Arabunna Native Title Group chairman Aaron Stuart says the land surrounding Olympic Dam Mine still holds significant value to his people.

He supports the court action and believes the Aboriginal group was not properly consulted about the expansion.

"The expansion went ahead for business and obviously for economic reasons but not once [was] the native title group consulted and not once were the elders consulted," he said.

Greens MP Mark Parnell has long argued many environmental questions were left unanswered in BHP Billiton's Environmental Impact Study, released last year.

He believes Mr Buzzacott has a case.

"The Government made a great song and dance about the fact that the Environmental Impact Statement was the biggest document ever printed in South Australia's history yet it still didn't really [look at] important issues to do with groundwater, the disposal of radioactive waste, the fate of the Giant Australian Cuttlefish," he said.

Mr Burke said in a statement to AM that he was confident he took all relevant matters into account in deciding to approve the expansion.